Was Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao a dullard?
No, sir!
Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao was certainly not a dullard. Long before he became a celebrated businessman, philanthropist and the revered Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, he had demonstrated exceptional brilliance as a young boy.
The story is told of how the young Arisekola sat for the nationwide entrance examination into the prestigious Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti—and emerged with the highest score in the entire examination.
His extraordinary performance reportedly startled the school’s white principal. The score appeared almost unbelievable. Curious and perhaps suspicious that something unusual had happened, the principal invited the brilliant candidate to appear before him personally in Ado-Ekiti.
For the young Arisekola, however, travelling from Ibadan to Ado-Ekiti was no small undertaking. He came from a humble background and had to labour hard before he could gather enough money for the journey to Ado-Ewi.
When he eventually arrived, the white principal was astonished. Standing before him was a frail, gaunt-looking boy—a tiny figure with prominent tribal marks. He hardly fitted the principal’s imagined picture of the intellectual giant who had conquered the national entrance examination.
“Are you Alao Azeez?” the principal asked.
In his unmistakable Ibadan accent, the boy replied:
“My name is Asisi Alao Arisekola, sir.”
Still wondering how the young boy had achieved such a remarkable score, the principal asked:
“Are you related to any member of our staff?”
Perhaps he suspected that the examination questions had been leaked to him or that someone within the school had assisted him.
“No, sir,” Arisekola answered. “I live in Ibadan. This is my first time in Ado-Ekiti.”
The principal was deeply impressed. His doubts disappeared. He shook the young scholar’s hand warmly and reportedly gave him some money to support his transport back to Ibadan.
That little boy would later become one of the most influential businessmen and philanthropists of his generation—a generous benefactor whose compassion crossed ethnic, religious and social boundaries.
The lesson is timeless: never judge intelligence, greatness or destiny by physical appearance, humble circumstances, tribal marks or the poverty of a child’s clothing.
The frail-looking boy standing timidly before the principal of Christ’s School carried within him the mind, courage and determination of a future giant.
Rest in peace, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao—the unforgettable Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.
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